On the old forum there was a discussion about a viral cause for PD. I remember being surprised that the virus discussed was likely the same as caused the viral pericarditis I had in my twenties. I think it was the coxsackie virus (?sp). I wonder if anyone else remembers this thread. Being a virus there was no treatment except bedrest and sedation - I have often wondered since if something like that stays in the body, similar to post-polio syndrome and other viral after effects.

This is definitely where patient input could be so useful, we know our histories, environments and progression, and we have a vested interest too....... I am on the side of multiple causes for pd, that the brain has the bbb because it is so very vulnerable to many insults......... I had a very interesting discussion recently with my PD nurse specialist who, unlike the neuros, sees people in their home environments dealing with everyday existence. She felt that consultants were more and more coming to believe that not only were there a multiplicity of causes, but in the future it will be seen to be a multiplicity of conditions, and the old definition of PD will change.

The changes in thinking seem to come oh so slowly though, with researchers haring off after the latest theory, and then changing direction over and again, with the medics coming up in the rear. I would like to see both groups really use their observational skills on people, we are the real white rats they should be looking at, the ones in the labs have artificially induced PD brains anyway.......... all this stuff is readily available but the definition is still in the 19th century....

Am I right in thinking that most subtypes only feature in very small group studies, where they are identified as anomalies, and that they are mostly ruled out of drug trials ? Paula, from what I have read about trials, and you would know a lot more about this than me, a lot of people don't fulfill the criteria, except that the two main groups, rigid and tremor dominant, for some reason don't get separated out.......

Sorry, I started on viral stuff, but paulas post interested me too........

Wishing you all peace love and happiness for the holidays and the year ahead, and many thanks to all for helping me stay afloat in good times and bad.

Lindy